Storm host Blast; Lovehammers perform following match
Published on February 22, 2008 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - The Chicago Storm take on the lone MISL team they haven't beaten this season - the Baltimore Blast - on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Sears Centre Arena. Baltimore (13-8) has won seven of their past eight matches, while the Storm (13-8) are coming off a one-point loss to the California Cougars last Friday. Both teams are 1 1/2 games behind first-place Milwaukee.
"I'm just looking forward to the match," Storm head coach Steve Morris said. "You've got two teams tied for third place, and both are in striking distance of first place. It's an important game, and it should be a spirited one."
In their only other match against each other this season, the Blast topped the visiting Storm, 18-8, on Feb. 2. For one Storm player, it was a career day. Stephen Armstrong scored three goals and eight points, netting two three-point goals and a two-pointer off of an assist from former Blast forward Carlos "Chile" Farias.
Following Saturday's match is the third stop of the Storm's and Q101's game and a concert series, brought to you by Comcast. The latest featured band is the Chicago-based Lovehammers.
STORM UPDATE
- Points leaders: Three Storm players rank in the MISL's top 20 in points. Matthew Stewart is 11th with 45 points, and he leads the Storm with 20 goals (all two-pointers). Carlos "Chile" Farias is 15th with 41 points. Farias has 17 assists and 11 goals (two three-pointers). Stephen Armstrong is tied for 16th with 40 points. He leads the league with eight three-point goals.
- Local talent: On Thursday, Feb. 21, the Storm signed forward and 2008 MISL College Draft third-round choice Stephen Brust to a two-year contract. The Arlington Heights, Ill., native played high school soccer at John Hersey and recently graduated from Bradley University. Brust participated with the Storm during their two exhibition matches against the American Indoor Soccer League's Rockford Rampage earlier this month. Brust had two goals in a 7-3 win against Rockford on Feb. 9.
- Chip off the ol' block: Storm defenseman Fabinho notched his 100th career regular-season block during Chicago's 9-8 loss to California on Saturday. Fabinho had six blocks over the past week, including a five-block effort against Philadelphia on Wednesday, Feb. 13. He leads all Storm players with 34 blocks. Last season, his 24-block total ranked second on the Storm.
- Another milestone: Last Wednesday against Philadelphia, the Storm's Matthew Stewart reached 200 career regular-season points on a two-point goal that gave the Storm a commanding 15-7 lead at the 8:19 mark of the fourth quarter.
BLAST UPDATE
- Chicago ties: Blast midfielder Scott Buete was drafted ninth overall by the Chicago Fire in the 2004 Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Buete played for the Fire during the 2004 and 2005 MLS seasons. This MISL season, Buete has played in 12 games, scoring two two-point goals and an assist. He has been out of the lineup with a toe injury since a Jan. 19 win against Philadelphia.
- Offensive threat: Blast forward Machel Millwood recently earned MISL Player of the Week honors after posting two straight five-point games. On Feb. 15, he had two goals and an assist in a 16-12 loss against Milwaukee. And he had two goals and an assist Feb. 16 against New Jersey in a 10-6 Blast victory. He leads Baltimore with 58 points, third best in the MISL.
- Road/home tendencies: Baltimore holds the league's strongest home record with a 10-2 mark, but the Blast haven't fared as well outside 1st Mariner Arena. They are 3-6 on the road this season. Chicago, meanwhile, is 7-4 at the Sears Centre and 6-4 on the road.
- Blast vs. Storm, head-to-head: The Storm and Blast hold 9-9 records head-to-head over the past four seasons. They split their six matches last season, with Chicago winning the final match, 21-6, on March 31, 2007.
The Chicago Storm are members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Storm offices are located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. For more information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and more, call (866) STORM-81, or visit ChicagoStorm.net.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 22, 2008
- Lilavois Becomes Player/Head Coach, Will Play Versus KiXX - California Cougars
- KiXX Host Cougars February 23 On Dollar Dog And CMN Auction Night - Philadelphia KiXX
- Storm host Blast; Lovehammers perform following match - Chicago Storm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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